Distributor



Dec. 30, 1958 c. J. WILLIAMSON DISTRIBUTOR Filed Feb. '15, 1957 MAGNET INSERT Charles J. Williamson INVENTOR.

United States This invention relates to an improved ignition distributor of the type commonly used on most automotive equipment and more particularly to means for enhancing the effectiveness of a distributor.

The construction of this invention features the utilization of a field coil built in or attached to a distributor casing at a point opposite the centrifugal counterweights associated with the rotor which are either magnetized or have magnets built therein.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of a distributor with a constant power source which increases in intensity as engine revolutions per minute increase. Thus, the weakening of spark intensity, which is inherent in all commonly used ignition equipment due to time lag is eliminated.

A further object of the invention resides in a distributor which permits increased dwell angle and which provides extra power derived by delivering current to a light primary winding which in effect provides a reservoir of power from which a distributor can draw at all times without having to build up in the ordinary manner.

Still further objects and features of this invention reside in the provision of a distributor that is simple in construction, which can be substituted for conventional distributors on most makes and models of automotive vehicles, and which is eflicient in use.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of the invention which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this distributor, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, by way of example, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a distributor constructed in accordance with the present invention with parts being shown in section for detail;

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view as taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the centrifugal counterweights with the magnet insert provided in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral generally designates a distributor having a distributor housing 12 with a field coil 14 built into a suitable groove 16 formed in the housing 12. The distributor 10 is provided with a distributor cap 18 of conventional construction held in place by clips 20. The distributor includes a rotor as at 22 mounted so that the centrifugal counterweights as indicated at 24 and 26 thereof are encompassed and surrounded by the field coil 14. The rotor 22 is of course driven through operation of the shaft 28 and is conventional; there are provided springs 30 and 32 for t at 236,912 Patented Dec. 30, 1958 control of the counterweights 24 and 26. Each of the inserts 24 and 26 are provided clip like members 34 which are adapted to receive and hold in place magnet inserts 36. These magnet inserts may be formed of a magnetized magnetic material or in lieu thereof the entire counterweight 24 may be magnetized. v

The field coil is connected through a conductor as at 40 to a standard type ignition coil and the light primary winding 14 which is built into the distributor will have current induced therein by the rotation of the magnets 36 which provide a moving magnetic field which the conductors of the coil 14 cut so as to induce an electromotive force. This added power will reinforce the weakened spark whose intensity has decreased during the time lag of operation of the distributor and thus provide an increased spark to the spark plugs providing more efficient operation of the engine.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling Within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows 1. In a conventional automobile electrical system, a distributor housing, a rotor carrying an electrical contact thereon, a plurality of cap posts arranged proximate said motor, said rotor rotatably mounted in said housing, a pair of pivotally mounted counterweights carried by said rotor, said counterweights adapted to centrifugally move from the rotational axis of said rotor upon a rotational movement, spring means carried by said rotor, and said counterweights for normally maintaining the counterweights proximate to the rotational axis, a permanent magnet carried by each counterweight, a field coil carried in said housing for connection in a circuit to the cap posts, said field coil electrically situated so as to have a voltage induced therein due to the rotating flux established by the rotating magnets.

2. In a conventional automobile electrical system, a distributor housing, a rotor carrying an electrical contact thereon, a plurality of cap posts arranged proximate said rotor, said rotor rotatably mounted in said housing, a pair of pivotally mounted counterweights carried by said rotor, said counterweights adapted to centrifugally move from the rotational axis of said rotor upon a rotational movement, spring means carried by said rotor and said counterweights for normally maintaining the counterweight-s proximate to the rotational axis, a permanent magnet carried by each counterweight, a field coil carried in said housing for connection in a circuit to the cap posts, said field coil electrically situated so as to have a voltage induced therein due to the rotating flux established by the rotating magnets, a resilient clip carried by each of said counterweights, said clips carrying said permanent magnets therein.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,153,076 Heinze Sept. 7, 1915 1,440,021 Luzy Dec. 26, 1922 2,107,470 Crawford Feb. 8, 1938 2,677,539 Winslow May 4, 1954 2,773,207 Budzien Dec. 4, 1956 

